lenbilen

July 20, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read two Psalms and two chapters of Job.

July 20: Psalm 58, Psalm 59, Job 15, Job 16 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 58, of David. A short, but intense prayer that God would punish the wicked and judge righteously.

Psalm 59, of David. A prayer for deliverance from Saul and his men seeking to Kill David. It ends up with David singing God’s praises.

Job 15. Eliphaz gets back at Job, accusing him of folly.

Job 16. Job replies: You pitiless comforters, you call yourself friends.

The red dragon of China. World dominance by 2025 averted? A Limerick.

Insane is to praise the Chinese

and say they go green, planting trees;

for they lie, cheat and steal,

human rights they repeal.

We must stand, no more time to appease.

Beijing’s massive tree planting campaign has worsened air pollution in the city, a new study by Chinese scientists suggests. The “Green Great Wall” prevented dispersion of as much as 15 per cent of PM2.5 – health-damaging fine particulates less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter – during a major smog episode in the capital in January 2014, according to researchers. At its peak during the period studied, the PM2.5 reached 350 micrograms per cubic metre of air – 14 times the safety level recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Man-made forest slowed down the winds that otherwise help to disperse smog and turned the city into an enormous trap for air pollutants, according to the scientists.

How can that be?

China burned 51.2% of the world’s coal in 2012, USA produced 12.5%. China’s production was more than four times larger. This has now stabilized and was in 2018 47%, because India and the real developing world are increasing their dependence on coal for electricity production, and also for cooking meals.

This of course is with the Paris accord in mind. U.S. and the European countries are to limit their emissions and slowly diminish them, down to a per capita emission comparable to the mid 1800’s, while China, being a “developing” country is allowed to increase their emissions until 2030, and then stabilize them, not decrease them.

How can they be burning nearly half the world’s coal mined?

One reason is they are the world’s state controlled manufacturing company. They are also responsible for half the world’s Steel production. China produced 50.3% of the world’s crude Steel in 2015, USA produced 4.9%. China’s production was over 20 times larger than the U.S.Some of this steel was dumped below production cost to crush our domestic low end steel industry. An example: Rolled steel to make steel cans were exported at about $200 a ton, the production cost in the U.S. is more like $400 a ton. They can do this, since their environmental regulations only pay lip service to pollution. Remember how Pittsburgh was 60 years ago? China is much worse.

Cement production. China produced 51.4% of the world’s cement in 2015, USA produced 1.8%. China’s production was almost 30 times larger.

It takes a lot of concrete to build artificial islands so they can take control of the South China Sea. But they are building many other things, Ghost Cities, but also an impressive infrastructure with high speed trains on elevated concrete tracks.

Worrisome as that may be, it isnothing compared to China,s dominance in Rare Earth Metals. Let me explain why rare earth metals are so important to our modern economy.

First, rare earth metals re not rare at all, they exist in small quantities together with Thorium and sometimes Uranium wherever other metals are mined.

The Lanthanides occur in quantity in Monazite, a byproduct of mining Phosphates, but also as a byproduct of mining Titanium, and even from some Iron ores. The rare earth metals are free to begin extraction if it was not for one thing, they also contain Thorium, and Thorium is radio-active, so in the mid 1980’s the NRC and IAEA reclassified Monazite and anything containing Thorium as a “Source Material” and after that it became too costly to comply with all the regulations for nuclear material, so all production of rare earth minerals ceased in the U.S.

China saw an opportunity to grab the world market for Rare Earth Metals and is now controlling about 94% of the supply of all rare earth metals.

So what are rare earth metals used for?

China now has a de facto monopoly on all usages of rare earth metals, and in the case of war or an embargo, not only are our precious cell phones and computers in jeopardy, so is our defense, night vision goggles, aircraft engines, navigation systems, laser guidance, just to name a few uses.

And not only that, we import the completed parts from China, even for our most sophisticated military equipment, such as the F35 aircraft, after telling the Chinese how to make the components. The very same components are now in China’s version of the F35, still under development, but in a year or so China will have their faithful copies made! A F35 aircraft contains about 935 pounds of rare earth metals.

This is clearly unsustainable, so in 2014 Congress tried to pass HR 4883 and S 2006 to remedy the situation, but the bills got killed in review by none other than the defense department, citing National Security! Our only major rare earth metals mine reopened, only to go bankrupt in 2015. It has since reopened, but the ore is shipped to China for refining! One good point is that the Mountain Pass mine is scheduled to reopen the processing facilities late 2020.

The idea was that we should change our electricity production into renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

Wind power uses a lot of rare earth metals to get the most efficient generators, all made by China. Wind power is about maxed out, that is, if you care about birds, especially eagles and raptors. The allowable bald eagle kill was upped from 1200 to 4200 a year for all U.S. wind turbines during the Obama administration. Killed golden eagles and storks has a S250000 fine, paid by the electricity users, and if we build it out more, we may exterminate some species.

Solar power looked promising until pollution was taken into consideration. China added 53 GW solar capacity in 2017. The forecast for this year i 45 GW, and for next year 35 GW.

The efficiency of solar panels are drastically reduced by the layer of soot accumulating daily from air pollution. They have to be cleaned daily with water, and water is in short supply in northern China. The yellow river no longer reaches the ocean during large periods of the year, all water is spoken for. In southern India a solar farm used up so much water that the wells went dry and there was no more water for agriculture and people, except during the monsoon season. Germany has given up on their solar program except for special needs.

Where it rains, China pollutes. The Yang -Tse river carries nearly half the plastic waste that is dumped in the ocean. It can be stopped, but it will mean a lot of energy, both man-power and electricity to do all the cleanup.

The solution is found in Thorium power. Here are 25 reasons why we shouls jump on the opportunity to solve the energy crisis:

1. A million years supply at today’s consumption levels.

2. Thorium already mined, ready to be extracted.

3. One ten-thousandth of the TRansUranium waste compared to a U-235 based fast breeder reactor.

4. Thorium based nuclear power produces Pu-238, needed for space exploration.

5. Radioactive waste from an LFTR decays down to background radiation in 300 years compared to a million years for U-235 based reactors.

6. Thorium based nuclear power is not suited for making nuclear bombs.

7. Produces isotopes that helps cure certain cancers.

8. Molten Salt Thorium Reactors are earthquake safe.

9. Molten Salt Thorium Reactors cannot have a meltdown, the fuel is already molten.

10. Molten Salt Nuclear Reactors have a very high negative temperature coefficient leading to a safe and stable control.

11. Atmospheric pressure operating conditions, no risk for explosions.

12. Virtually no spent fuel problem, very little on site storage or transport.

13. Thorium Nuclear Power generators scale beautifully from small portable generators to full size power plants.

14. No need for evacuation zones, can be placed near urban areas.

15. Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors will work both as Base Load and Load Following power plants.

16. Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors will lessen the need for an expanded national grid.

17. Russia has an active Thorium program.

18. China is having a massive Thorium program.

19. India is having an ambitious Thorium program.

20. United States used to be the leader in Thorium usage. What happened?

21. With a Molten Salt Reactor, accidents like the Three Mile Island disaster will not happen.

22. With a Molten Salt Reactor, disasters like Chernobyl are impossible.

23. With Molten Salt Reactors, a catastrophe like Fukushima cannot happen.

24. Produces electrical energy at about 4 cents per KWh.

25. Can deplete some of the existing radioactive waste and nuclear weapons stockpiles.

Did I mention that Thorium based reactors do not produce CO2, and molten salt reactors do not use water?

Oh – and wish President Trump well in our negotiations with China. Pray, if you believe.

July 19, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read 0ne chapter of Proverbs and three chapters of Job.

July 19: Proverbs 9, Job 12, Job 13, Job 14 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Proverbs 9, contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly.

Job 12. Job has heard enough and answers his critics.

Job 13. Job continues answering his three friends, and adds a despondent prayer that contains this gem: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”

Job 14 contains the rest of Job’s prayer.

July 18, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read two Psalms and three chapters of Job.

July 18: Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Job 9, Job 10, Job 11 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 56, of David. The Psalm is from the time when the Philistines captured him in Gath It deals with the period between the visit to the tabernacle at Nob and David’s arrival at Adullam. David was alone, desperate, afraid – and had no one left to to trust but the LORD.

Psalm 57, of David. Charles Spurgeon noted, “There are four of these ‘Destroy not’ psalms, namely, the 57th, 58th, 59th, and 75th. In all of them there is a distinct declaration of the destruction of the wicked and the preservation of the righteous.” It ends with “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.“

Job 9, Job: There is no mediator, no one is righteous before God, even though I am righteous.

Job 10, Job: I would Plead with God.

Job 11. It was time for Zophar the Naamathite to speak. He urges urges Job to repent.

July 17, read through the Bible in a year.

In between Second Corinthians and Galatians we read three Psalms and three chapters of Job.

July 17: Psalm 53, Psalm 54, Psalm 55, Job 6, Job 7, Job 8 (click on the chapter to begin reading).

Psalm 53, of David. A short Psalm telling about fools that say “No God”

Psalm 54, of David. A snort prayer with conviction that God is David’s helper.

Psalm 55, of David. When treacherous friends and a multitude of enemies attack David still trusts God.

Job 6. Time for Job to reply: “My Complaint is Just.” And

Job 7. “My Suffering is without Comfort.”

Job 8. Bildad, the Shuhite replied: “Job Should Repent.”

Murder and rape rates, why so high, and why rising?

We live in a fallen world. There are still those who believe in the inherent good of mankind, but looking at the evidence teaches us otherwise. Here are some statistics:

1. Murder rate per 100000 individuals.

The most dangerous countries in the world are: El Salvador: 61.8, Honduras: 56.5 and Venezuela: 56.3

We have recently gotten a large number of illegal immigrants from these countries. Maybe that is why the murder rates in some U.S. sanctuary cities is so high: They have all one

thing in common:

They all have a Democratic

liberal local government.

Being sanctuary cities they house a fair number of people from Central America.

Compare the murder rate with other world cities and countries.

2. Rape rate per 100000 individuals by country:

This is serious: I can understand the high rate in

South Africa. The backlash after apartheid and the

descent into lawlessness makes these things happen.

But why Sweden?

When I left Sweden 50 years ago the rape rate was about the same as the other Nordic countries.

Could it be that Sweden has had the largest influx of Mideast and African countries of any nation as a proportion of the population?

Just thinking.

The statistic speaks for itself.

July 16, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read the last chapter of second Corinthians and two chapters of Job.

July 16: 2 Corinthians 13, Job 4, Job 5 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

2 Corinthians 13. Paul said it was his third coming coming to the Corinthians, and he was coming with authority for building them up, not for tearing them down. Finally, the final greetings and the benediction.

Job 4. Eliphaz was first to speak: Job has sinned –

Job 5, and for that Job is chastened by God.

July 15, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and the first three chapters of Job.

July 15: 2 Corinthians 12, Job 1, Job 2, Job 3 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes his vision of paradise and his thorn in the flesh (“for when I am weak, then I am strong”.) The marks of an Apostle are signs, wonders and miracles, and Paul displays his love for the Church.

Job 1. This is the oldest book in the Bible and predates even the Pentateuch. It is written in old Aramaic. Job and his Family lived in in Uz, righteous before God. Satan attacked Job’s Character and as a result Job lost his property and his children.

Job 2. Satan Attacked Job’s Health, and then was visited by three friends, keeping him company for a week without saying a word.

Job 3. Job deplores his birth before his three friends, and they still keep quiet.

July 14, read through the Bible in a year.

Today we read one chapter of second Corinthians and the last three chapters of Esther.

July 14: 2 Corinthians 11, Esther 8, Esther9, Esther 10 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

2 Corinthians 11. Paul showed concern for the Corinthians faithfulness, warned them against false Apostles, “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” Paul put forward a reluctant boasting about his sufferings for Christ.

Esther 8. With Haman out of the way, the Jews were still in peril, since the edict of the king could not be changed, so Esther pleaded again to the king and a new edict was proclaimed, the the Jews had every right to defend themselves and strike back, and so Esther saved the Jews.

Esther 9. The Jews triumphed, and the first Purim was celebrated.

Esther 10, epilogue about the greatness of Mordecai.

God’s rainbow, the promise. Man’s rainbow, the curse. A Limerick.

The rainbow we see in the sky:

A promise, and God tells us why.

Seven colors displayed.

Man’s has six, it’s man made.

With indigo missing, all die.

The hint may be subtle, but is nevertheless important:

Red is the color of love and passion – but also danger. It is the color of blood, wherein is life.

Orange is the color of creativity, joy, vibrancy, happiness, playfulness and youth, but at the same time it is the color of fall.

Yellow is the color of the life-sustaining sun. It is also a sign of hope, as in the song “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Old Oak Tree”

Green is the color of money and the color of chlorophyll, the substance without which life would cease to exist. Like nature, these are all good things, but it is also the color of envy.

Blue is the color of the daytime sky, the oceans and the heavens. (If God was not a Penn State fan, why is the sky blue and white?)

Indigo is the color of the nighttime clear sky and reflects great devotion, wisdom and justice along with fairness and impartiality. It also symbolizes the rule of law, but at the same time it is the favorite color of the New Age and its mysticism.

Violet is the color of royalty, but at the same time it indicates delicacy and fragility, as in violets and other violet colored flowers.

Now, if you take out the color indigo and what it stands for, the whole world descends into anarchy. Maybe that was their intent in the first place?